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Putting picture-frame molding on walls is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to add a touch of elegance to a plain room. You can suggest or intensify the style of a room with molding – by using simple rectilinear outlines with half-round or square molding strips for a modern look, or creating intricate curves and embellished frameworks with fancy trims for an old-fashioned feel. By painting the molding to either contrast or blend, you help to create more subtle style statements, as well.

Choosing Paint Schemes

Molding gives you the opportunity to add interest to your walls using paint alone. Paint the entire wall – molding and all – in a single color for textural interest that simultaneously expands the space by unifying it; paint the walls one color and trim another to emphasize the architectural detail of the framed spaces; or paint the background wall one color, the molding another and the interior framed spaces a third hue to create interesting perceptual distinctions. Use high-contrast colors for eye-popping ornamentation or various shades of a single color for more subtle contrast.

Cleaning and Preparation

Regardless of the color scheme you choose, every paint job should start with a thoroughly prepared surface. It is vital to the quality and durability of the paint to remove all dirt and grease from walls and trim, fill holes, sand imperfections, remove nails and otherwise create a smooth wall surface upon which to work. Use warm soapy water on a damp sponge to wash, and thoroughly rinse all soap film from the cleaned walls. Allow the walls to dry completely. Fill holes with plaster, wood or plastic-type putty appropriate for the wall and molding material, and sand smooth. Remove dust with a lightly dampened rag or tack cloth.

Before You Paint

Before painting, place dropcloths over furniture, carpets and floors. Use painter's blue masking tape to cover the inside and outside edges of all trim and molding – whether you intend to paint one wall color or different wall colors inside and outside the molding. This allows you to get a crisp edge between the wall and molding on both sides. The only exceptions to this are for trim along the floor or ceiling – where the surface on the opposite side of the trim is not painted – and for molding you intend to paint the same color as the walls.

Paint Order for a Monochromatic Scheme

For a one-color scheme, paint the molding first with a narrow paintbrush. Paint in long, smooth strokes working in the direction of the length of the trim rather than across it. Use a relatively dry brush, and feather the edges of the paint a couple of inches beyond the molding onto the surrounding wall surfaces to ensure the edges are completely covered. Follow by painting either side of the molding with a somewhat dry paint roller, overlapping the previous layer of paint as close as possible to the edge of the molding without touching it.

Paint Order for a Two or More Color Scheme

When painting the molding a different color from the walls, reverse the paint order. Mask both edges of the molding and paint the wall color or colors first using a small brush to get right up against the molding. Use a roller to finish painting the walls and allow the paint to set until it is dry to the touch before removing the masking tape. When the paint has dried completely, apply painter's blue masking tape to the walls on either side of the trim – keeping it close and neat to prevent paint-bleed under the edge of the tape. Paint the molding as previously described, staying away from the wall edges as much as possible. Remove the tape when the paint is just dry to the touch.